While there is a difference between creator, influencer, UGC, etc. They all do essentially start the same, and are serving the same purpose to convey information to viewers online. You as the content source, are the server of information. Depending on which route you choose, the content will be slightly different, but remains the same is that you need to CREATE.

Let's focus on that angle, and pursue the Creator route. From there you can choose where you want to go next.

Whether you want to make it big on YouTube, have your voice heard with a Podcast, express your thoughts in Writing, or be the next big Streamer. All content types are viable, and in the end you really should do all of them in some way.

Why is Content the Medium of the Time?

Taking the reigns from television before it, and radio before that. The rise of the creator economy is that of just the mechanism of this era. It is how information is spread. When you boil it down, content creation is simply the method of transfer of knowledge, and that is an easy way of thinking about it.

For example when TikTok launched, Musically then, the people who used it mainly were lip singers, dancers, and comedians. However that wasn't what the platform WAS, as it was simply just a Video Platform. Gary Vee saw it for what it was, and told his audience to go on there. I was one of those people. Now while everyone experimented, over time it became the video platform we know today, and that didn't take very long.

People use TikTok as a source of knowledge through short form videos, and while now after the buyout that is no longer a trusted platform. The next TikTok is probably around the corner.

I find that what matters is simply the content itself, not the platform you post it on, and while you can just cross post your videos across Tiktok, Shorts, and Reels; They are going to perform differently, and ideally you would tweak the videos based on each if you can.

How does one become a creator?

The Tracks of Creator Speed

I talk more about the Tracks in my mini series post about the Creator Equation. However for ease here are the slow-track, fast-track, and super-fast-track pathways of a creator. For reference:

  • Slow: 1x post a week = 52 in a year
  • Fast: 3x post a week = 156 in a year
  • Super-Fast: 1x post a day = 365~ posts in a year

Now these are a strict roadmap, but I think it is valuable as a new creator to imagine the pathways in front of you. Depending on how much free time you have, determination/motivation, and ability to put in the work.

Those factors can change HOW FAST you become a creator. On paper you're a creator once you make a piece of content, but that isn't really the point. The real point is when you actually put out content people will consume.

While the "slow" track almost seems like it has a negative connotation, it actually is sort of the most common path. It is probably the most sustainable, and that is still weekly content. Meaning you will be consistent over the course of the year. Just that you probably won't grow as fast as you want in your head. If at all, depending on your niche/quality, and so you might get discouraged.

Hence why I bring up the other two paths. The more you create content, the more practice you put it, and therefore the more skill you will hopefully attain from reps.

A lot of creators say don't even think about many factors like analytics until you get to 100 reps, and I agree with that sentiment. You aren't going to be that great in your first 100 posts.

The Creator Equation Part 1 - Why is it Important
The first in the mini series on the Creator Equation. How it fits into your creator life, how to make use of it, and overall what you can learn from it!
Official Website for Dustin Miller PolyInnovator [LLC]Dustin Miller | PolyInnovator

How does the Creator Equation come into play?

While the pathways/tracks are important, in the end the amount of reps are not the only concern for you. This is why I came up with an Equation for Content Creators to figure out how to accelerate your growth. While I generally make this content catered towards more beginning/budding creators; I actually made the Equation for people like myself who have been creating for a LONG time.

I realized there wasn't enough content out there for advanced creators to figure out how they can level up further. It is just that the context of understanding the Equation is easier to understand at the beginner level more often than not. Then it scales up to the experienced creator!

What is it?

Strategy + Automation x Execution = Success

The three tracks above are what you would consider to be the Execution portion of the Equation. How much effort YOU put in yourself, that is like the "X" factor that can change the variables.

The other two are a bit more simple, as they are simply the planning and tools. Now Automation doesn't just have to be tools like OpusClip, as it can also mean delegation like hiring an Editor or using AI Agents too.

Strategy is the methodology you use to orchestrate your content production. Many creators for creators out there have shared their strategies, and I try to share mine as well. You can pick any one of them, and more than likely you'll make progress. What I really want to push for you to focus on is simply STARTING.

What actions can you take?

I don't know if picking a track right now is the best choice for someone wanting to become a creator in 2026. Really what you need to do is get your feet wet first, start making anything. At this stage you may not know yet what content type you want to do, so it may be wise to just experiment. Make 30 videos, then 30 blogs, then 30 podcasts, and in the end see which one you like most.

After you get one you like, focus on that until you reach 100 reps, and then from there decide whether you want to bring back one of the other types alongside your main. Conversely, you could double down on your main too, and do a faster track of content production.

Steps:

  1. Choose a type
  2. Make 30 posts
  3. Decide if you want to continue or try another type
  4. Get to 100 posts
  5. Pick a track - define your strategy more too
  6. Between 150-300 posts your tools start to matter more, fix your automation
  7. At 300 reps either slow down your track, or if you were slow before then speed it up (essentially do the opposite track)
  8. After a year (maybe less) re-evaluate your strategy and automation portions of the creator equation.

That is it! If you do these things you will become a creator. Can you become one without these? Of course. However I want to try and make it as sustainable as possible for you, so that you don't burnout. Additionally, I want to help you accelerate your growth.

While analytics and iteration are important for optimizing what you do, most creators focus too much on that at first. When they simply just need to put out more. I can't tell you how many times I see reddit or threads posts where people are like "why am I not growing?", and I go to their channel... they posted once in the last month. Yeah of course you're not growing, you're not putting enough out!

Reach out to me if you have questions!